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Chapter 2

Eloise Brooke 

'Lucas's Mom' was the first person I could think of for help, so I went to her for help. Unlike Lucas, his Mom was different. She loved and cared for me like I was her own daughter. Well, that was until the death of my parents. She had changed toward me, but a part of me still believed that there was still a soft spot left for me in her heart.

"Mom... Mom..." My legs trembled beneath me as I dragged them into her living room, however, I halted abruptly on my track, and froze at the sight that welcomed me.

She sat on one of the couches in her spacious and furnished living room, legs crossed, unbothered... And Rose... She sat beside her.

"Mo...m..." My voice faded into silence, and I swallowed nothing.

It's not what I'm thinking, right?

"Eloise... You are here?" She stood and smiled at me, but I could see the shock in her eyes. She didn't expect that I would be here.

"Why are you here at this time of the day?"

But my eyes shifted to Rose, my jaw almost reaching the ground. I couldn't think straight.

She sat there like a queen. Like the beloved daughter-in-law of the family. She sat as though she owned the house. A smug smirk played at the corner of her lips.

"Mom... Why is she here?" I looked back at Mrs. Holt, but she looked away.

"You mean Rose?"

"Why is she here?" I barely managed to hold my sanity together. My heart was hammering against my throat, my blood was pumping hard and fast.

"We need to talk, Eloise."

Without so much as an explanation of what was happening, she grabbed my hand in a bid to drag me away, but I yanked it off.

"I asked you what is going on? Can you explain to me? I'm losing my mind already." My voice cracked, barely above the pounding in my chest. I couldn't even raise my voice even though I wanted to.

She stared at me, as if trying to confirm if I was sure about this. If I was ready to hear the truth, and if I would be strong enough to hear it.

"Alright, fine!" She exhaled. "Sorry you had to find out this way. But Rose here is pregnant with Lucas's child, and they are going to get married."

My heart twisted in my chest, and my lips trembled. I just needed to confirm it.

I opened my mouth to talk, but no word came out. The betrayal cut deeper than any dagger ever would.

"I told my son to compensate you. You should sign the divorce papers and take the money. It'll be enough to start life afresh."

Her eyes were blank. Not even as little as a bit of remorse. 

"Why?"

The only word I could form as I opened my mouth. My eyes stung, but not even a single drop of tears came out. 

"How could you?" My voice only bounced back at me. "Why did you do this to me?"

The betrayal didn't hurt as much as finding out who it was coming from. The same woman that I had sacrificed everything for.

She closed the distance between us, her eyes piercing into mine. "You should've kept your parents alive, Eloise... All these wouldn't have happened if you had kept them alive."

I staggered back. Somehow, tears found their way out of my eyes. I should've kept my parents alive? How could I? 

"If you couldn't keep them alive, you should've hold on tightly to your inheritance. You shouldn't have lost the only thing that made you worthy of being my daughter-in-law!"

My legs gave way, and I crashed to the ground. 

My eyes scanned everywhere for nothing as the pieces came back together slowly. I had been nothing but a fool all along. 

When she asked to marry me for her son years ago, I thought it was because she liked me, but no... I have been lying to myself all these years. What she was attracted to was my family's wealth.

"Eloise..." She squatted down in front of me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Just take the money and leave. It's not that hard to do, is it?"

If my parents didn't die, maybe I would've had someone to run back to, but where do I go from here now?

"I'm pregnant." My voice cracked. I didn't want to look pathetic in front of her, but I didn't have a choice. 

I was hoping it'll make her change her mind, but the next words that rolled off her tongue shattered the last piece of my broken heart.

"Get rid of the child and start your life afresh, Eloise. That is the best you can do for yourself and..." she looked at my tummy and continued. "And your unborn child."

"You can't do this to me... I don't have anyone except you and Lucas... Please don't do this."

I dragged myself on my knees as she stood up to leave. 

"You need to leave, Eloise. You are making me uncomfortable," She turned her back on me.

"Why don't you stop embarrassing yourself and leave?" Rose's voice slithered through the atmosphere, her voice firm and dripped with disdain.

I scoffed, biting hard into my lip.

"I'm going to call the cops on you if you keep being like this, Eloise. Just leave already." Mrs. Holt's voice came on, and I knew that it was really over. 

I summoned the strength left in me, and dragged myself to my feet. 

Holding my gaze low, my face burned with shame and bitterness as I dragged my feet out of her apartment, waiting for what the future has in store for me...